Apparatus and methods for competing in the sport of box (platform) jumping

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the physical exercise of “box jumping” and for implementing that exercise as a competitive sport. Rules and guidelines for such competitions are described, as is the use of a computer network such as the Internet, to facilitate many aspects of the sport and related competitions (such as ready match-ups with other participants, tracking of data, confirmation of performances, certification, training, and other functions and services).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods related to the physical exercise of “box jumping.” As used herein, the term “box” is intended to include, without limitation, any platform or other elevated surface suitable for the various jumping and landing activities and competitions that are described herein. Among other things, the present inventions can be used to turn that exercise into a competitive sport. Also, and among other things, the inventions preferably include rules and preferably can be practiced with the use of a computer network such as the Internet, to facilitate ready match-ups with other participants, tracking of data, confirmation of performances, certification, training, and other functions and services.

The present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures, which serve as illustrations of some of the many embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Subject to the context and other factors (including for example the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant to the inventions), generally in those Figures and references similar reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements throughout this description.

Those Figures and references, and the other terminology used in these descriptions, are not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, various embodiments of the invention (whether or not specifically described herein) may include one or more of the novel features disclosed herein, no single one of which

(a) is necessarily solely responsible for any particular desirable attribute(s) of the inventions or (b) is essential to practicing the inventions described.

Although the disclosed inventions may provide many benefits and be useful in a broad range of applications, they are particularly useful in apparatus and methods in which it is desirable to compete/participate in the sport of box jumping, wherein participants attempt to achieve a successful jump attempt onto a box at the maximum height possible. Preferably, the activities and competitions described herein are conducted in a safe manner, without undue risk to the competitors/participants and/or to any other persons in the vicinity of those competitors/participants or the competition generally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a series of thirteen photos showing an example of a sequence of movements that can be used in performing a standing box jump attempt. They are sequential beginning with the uppermost left photo, continuing across the first row and then to the second and so on, and ending with the lowermost right photo. Persons of ordinary skill will appreciate that these movements are merely illustrative of one way in which a person can jump from the ground (or similar surface) onto one or more boxes stacked adjacent to that person. Among the many other examples of ways in which a “box jump” can be performed includes running toward the stationary boxes before jumping (for running box jump attempts). More difficult (and correspondingly risky) embodiments of the invention include, by way of example and not by way of limitation, jumping onto boxes or other objects that may be moving with respect to the ground or supporting surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As indicated above, the inventions disclosed herein can be used in a broad range of applications and provide many benefits. In one embodiment, apparatus and methods are provided for competing in the sport of box jumping. Those apparatus and methods include rules and procedures, equipment, timekeeping methods, judges and other personnel, and scoring methods. Preferably, the invention is practiced with the use of a computer network such as the Internet to facilitate ready match-ups, tracking of data, confirmation of performances, etc. Other aspects of the invention can include certification and training.

In one aspect or embodiment of the invention, competition and testing rules are established, provided, published, and/or maintained by one or more governing bodies (one example is the Competitive Box Jump Organization, or “CBJO”). The governing body or bodies preferably make available the relevant guidelines to all competitors, affiliates, judges, and any other personnel involved in the sport, such as by posting same on the Internet or some other manner. Among other things, the rules preferably help ensure that all persons involved in the sport have ready access to those rules/guidelines, to ensure fair competition in at least some of the embodiments of the invention. Regardless of whether the rules/guidelines are posted on the Internet or instead are printed and distributed in physical form and/or are made available or communicated in some other manner, preferably the Internet can facilitate various forms of competition in the sport at virtually any date, time, and/or location/venue. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, depending on the embodiment of the invention, some or even all of the organization and participation and competitions and events in the sport of box jumping do not require use of the Internet, and that various aspects of the invention may be used in such “non-Internet” embodiments of the invention.

In addition, any changes or updates to the sport rules/guidelines preferably are distributed and accessible to all involved persons (again, over the Internet or otherwise) to ensure that any given participation/competition is subject to known rules that also are applied to any other competitors with whom a given performance may be compared or measured. This information, as well as other information related to the sport of box jumping, preferably is provided on the Internet so that persons may access it from their multimedia devices such as personal computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc., especially for embodiments of the invention that may include use of cameras to record and/or broadcast the performance (as described elsewhere herein) Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that as multimedia and Internet/communications technologies advance, this information and the methods and apparatus of the invention may be adapted to be provide additional embodiments in which to practice the inventions, such as on new mediums for ready access to involved participants and other personnel.

Preferably, the rules/guidelines provided by the governing body can address a wide range of topics, and can include various types of box jump competition events, each with separate and distinct guidelines on how those events are performed, judged, scored, etc. For example, two primary box jump competition events can be standing and running box jumps. Other of the many further embodiments of box jump competition events may include a seated box jump, weighted box jump (contestants carry external weights during their standing jump(s), running jump(s), seated jump(s), etc.), single leg standing and seated box jumps (with or without weight resistance), and others.

The weighted box jump competition events can be conducted in a wide variety of ways. For example, the competitor can wear a weight vest that provides weight resistance while also allowing the competitor to complete the box jump movement unimpeded. Persons of ordinary skill will appreciate that any similar weighted apparatus (and/or handheld weights) may be provided so long as the competitor is able to complete the full range of movements necessary to complete a box jump attempt. For the weighted events, in addition to adjusting the height (of the box(es)), the resistance (of the weight) can be increased with each consecutive box jump attempt/competition level, and/or both height and resistance can be adjusted.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that among other things, the rules/guidelines can include “divisions” based on a wide variety of criteria (“open” competitions can also be held, including those without restrictions on gender, age, or any other factors, and/or competitions with various iterations and combinations of such qualifying criteria). The “non-open” divisions preferably are used to organize competitors into participant groups with persons of similar size/skill/age/gender/experience/training/etc. As established by the CBJO or other governing body, and as is common in many other physical competitions, competitors preferably are divided into age and gender groups to promote fair and fun competition amongst all participants. Listed below is an example of a grouping standard, by age for both men and women.

BOX JUMP AGE GROUPS FOR MEN & WOMEN Age Group Eligible Age YOUTH 13-17 JUNIOR 15-20 SENIOR 15< MASTER 35<

Also preferably, the rules/guidelines' provide methods of calculating overall rankings of participants. In one exemplary embodiment, a participant's overall ranking is determined by calculating their box jump height achieved as a percentage of their height (“POH”). For this embodiment of the invention, the following formula can be used to perform this calculation and rank the participants based on the results:

Percentage of height formula=Jump Height/Participant's Height*100

Among the many alternative embodiments of the invention, leg/arm length can be used, divisions for various physical or other handicaps can be established, etc.

Also preferably, this information (including that data which is calculated based on the participant's performances) is used to group participants into classes. Below is an example of one type of those grouping standards, by class for both the standing box jump and running box jump events.

STANDING BOX JUMP CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS Percentage of Height Class (“POH”) ELITE 90%+ MASTER 80%-90% CLASS I 70%-80% CLASS II 60%-70% CLASS III 50%-60% CLASS IV 40%-50%

RUNNING BOX JUMP CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS Percentage of Height Class (“POH”) ELITE 95%+ MASTER 85%-95% CLASS I 75%-85% CLASS II 65%-75% CLASS III 55%-65% CLASS IV 45%-55%

Groupings and criteria such as set forth in the above tables can be adjusted by the governing body, by agreement of the participants, or for other reasons. Such adjustments can, among other things, create “new” competitions within the sport, tweak existing divisions/competitions to try to make them more fair, etc.

Preferably, award guidelines are also established by the CBJO or other organization, and awards are provided based on criteria such as the participants' rankings in their respective age group and class as determined by their POH scores (and/or on other criteria, preferably established and published prior to each competition/season/etc.). Awards may also be provided to participants based on their highest successful box jump attempt regardless of their height, age, or class, or on any other of a broad range of factors (red-headed participants, as one “fun” example).

The foregoing and other information (such as, for example, the rules/guidelines and other information pertinent to participation in the sport) preferably is maintained by one or more governing bodies and is readily accessible to all participants (competitors, affiliates, judges, etc.) in the sport, such as via the Internet. Persons of ordinary skill will appreciate that this process is intended to provide all participants with unlimited and transparent accessibility to important information regarding the sport (for example, rules/guidelines, results, updates, participant information, etc.), and as further explained below, to allow for at least relatively unrestricted participation in the sport by any persons, at any location, and any time/date/etc.

In a preferred embodiment, box jump “testing” and/or competitions may be performed “in person” at sanctioned events or designated centers/locations under the supervision of CBJO or similar personnel. However, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that given modern advances in Internet and communication technologies and the use of those advances in various embodiments of the present invention, participation in the sport is not limited to being physically present at a sanctioned event/location. In other words, participation may occur at any location/date/time/etc. In this situation, a participant may record (or transmit or even broadcast live) a video of their performance which may be uploaded and/or otherwise sent to a central server/etc. via the Internet for recordation, review, judging, and scoring by CBJO personnel or other persons. By using “live” transmission, multiple rounds of a competition can be held even when they involve “remote” participants—the remote competitor(s) simply takes his/her turn at the designated time and/or in the designated order with the other contestants, just as if the remote competitor was physically present AT the event. Among the many permutations that are enabled by the invention is an “all remote” contest, in which all participants are logged in and participate from separate locations. Some of these possibilities are illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the Internet or other networks facilitates and connects live/other participation, judging, and other aspects of box-jumping or similar sporting competitions.

In this manner, participants who are unable to travel to events or locations are able to compete in the sport as if they were actually present at a sanctioned/designated event/location. Among the many benefits provided by this “cyber competition” approach are reduced travel cost and time for the participants, and reduced expenses associated with hosting sanctioned events and/or maintaining designated facilities. It also allows the sport to be practiced with a reduced carbon footprint, resulting in benefits to our ecosystems.

As indicated above, rules of competition preferably are set forth in order to keep competition fair amongst those participants competing at sanctioned events and those participating remotely (such as via video recording or streaming, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, participants attempt box jumps at a designated height which progressively gets higher and higher with each successful attempt by the participant. Preferably, the box jump height is increased at 1 inch increments (similar to the way that the track-and-field events of high-jumping and pole vaulting occur), but persons of ordinary skill will appreciate that this is only a guideline and the degree of change/increase may be any designated and/or convenient measurement.

In certain embodiments and methods of the invention, once a participant misses an attempt at a particular height, they will have an opportunity to try again. One convenient and somewhat conventional rule preferably is that a participant is eliminated from competition once he/she misses three consecutive attempts at any height or combination of heights. However, persons of ordinary skill will understand that this standard may be adjusted to be any number or combination of missed attempts and still be within the scope of the present invention. A participant's score is determined by their highest successful box jump attempt. A tie between participants is broken by a “jump-off” wherein each participant has one attempt at a progressively higher box height until only one person succeeds at a given height. If after three attempts neither participant succeeds at the greater height, the competition ends in a tie.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the competitions can include other features and factors, depending on the particular sport and other issues. For example, during the course of competition, an official timekeeper can be designated in certain embodiments to operate a timing clock when the participants are called to perform their attempts, in accordance with the rules. In such situations, a participant is allowed a maximum time (such as 1 minute) from the time his name is called until the moment he steps onto the starting platform or starting line. Time limits can also be used to ensure that, once at the jump/starting line, the contestant does not take an unduly long amount of time to make their jump attempt. An audible or verbal signal preferably is given indicating various intervals of time remaining on the time clock. If the participant fails to comply with the various time deadlines, the jump attempt preferably is forfeited, although the invention can be practiced with other consequences to these or other infractions by the competitors.

Also preferably, a score card is maintained by the scorekeeper for all participants in the competition. All attempts are recorded regardless of success, failure, or pass. In certain embodiments, jump attempts are marked as follows: O for a successful jump attempt; X for a failed jump attempt; and P for a passed jump attempt (the competitor did not attempt the jump). This information can be recorded electronically or otherwise, and may conveniently be entered into a grid or similar structure to also track the height being jumped and/or other factors.

Similarly, the rules can provide for appeals of a judge's decision. For example, if a protest arises between the competitor and judging over the validity of a jump attempt, a competitor may request a review of a video record of the jump in question (assuming such a video record was made). In this case, the “appeal” judges (which may or may not include the original judge(s)) may review and discuss the jump attempt in question and render a decision. They may at, their discretion, grant the competitor a further attempt. In a preferred set of rules, once the judges have rendered their unanimous decision, it becomes final.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other forms of competition can be practiced within the scope of the present invention. Another of these many examples is “speed” jumping, in which contestants repeatedly attempt to jump at a given height for a fixed period of time (for example, three minutes), and the contestant with the most successful jumps during that time period “wins” the contest or at least that round.

Examples of other preferred competition rules are set forth here:

Standing Box Jump Rules

-   -   1. The athlete has one minute from the moment the timer starts         to complete his jump. If time runs out before the athlete's take         off, the attempt is forfeited.     -   2. The athlete places both feet flat anywhere on starting         platform in front of the box.     -   3. The athlete waits for the jump signal from the chief judge.     -   4. The athlete must not step off the starting platform for any         reason after the jump signal is given, or the athlete will pass         his turn until the next round.     -   5. Once the judge has given the jump signal, the athlete then         attempts to jump as high as possible onto the top of the box         (and/or the stack of boxes).     -   6. Once the athlete has completed the dip and drive phase of the         jump (with the athlete's feet completely separating from the         starting platform, as shown in the top three photos of FIG. 1),         the athlete is prohibited from touching the starting platform         again until the athlete receives the down signal from the chief         judge.     -   7. The athlete may rise up on the balls of the feet and toes         before the jump attempt.     -   8. Double hopping, skipping or bounding upwards or forwards on         the starting platform after the jump signal is given is         prohibited.     -   9. Both feet must land on top of the box and the athlete must         remain atop the box in control until the chief judge gives the         down signal.     -   10. If one or both of the athlete's feet land partially on the         box the attempt is deemed valid as long as the athlete remains         in control and does not leave the top of the box before the down         signal from the chief judge. Preferably, both feet must be at         least partially in contact with the top of the box and cannot         touch the side of the box.     -   11. If the athlete leaves the box before the judge's down         signal, for any reason, the jump is invalid.     -   12. The athlete may not use any part of the body or other         mechanism to assist in the ascent of the box. The athlete's         hands are not permitted to come in contact with any part of the         box during the ascent for any reason except for safety reasons         such as preventing a fall. If any part of the athlete's body         comes in contact with the side or top of the box other than the         feet, the jump is invalid.     -   13. After the chief judge gives the down signal, the athlete may         descend from the box in a safe and controlled manner. Depth         jumps off the top of the box are prohibited. Athletes who         descend the box using depth jumps will be warned. Two warnings         will result in disqualification from the competition.

Running Box Jump Rules

-   -   1. The athlete has one minute from the moment the timer starts         to complete the jump. If time runs out before the athlete's take         off, the attempt is forfeited.     -   2. Athlete stands just behind the starting line and waits for         the jump signal from the chief judge. The athlete then         approaches the box and attempts to jump as high as possible onto         the top of the box.     -   3. Once the dip and drive phase of the jump has begun and the         feet completely rise off the starting platform, the athlete is         prohibited from touching the starting platform again until the         athlete receives the down signal from the chief judge.     -   4. Hopping or bounding on the starting platform is prohibited.         Both feet must land on top of the box and the athlete must         remain atop the box in control until the chief judge gives the         down signal.     -   5. If one or both of the athlete's feet land partially on the         box the attempt is deemed valid as long as the athlete remains         in control and does not leave the top of the box before the down         signal from the chief judge. If the athlete leaves the box         before the judge's down signal, for any reason, the jump is         invalid.     -   6. The athlete may not use any part of the body or other         mechanism to assist in the ascent of the box. The athlete's         hands are not permitted to come in contact with any part of the         box during the ascent for any reason except for safety reasons         such as preventing a fall. If any part of the athlete's body         comes in contact with the side or top of the box other than the         feet, the jump is invalid.     -   7. After the judge gives the down signal, the athlete may         descend from the box in a safe and controlled manner. Depth         jumps off the top of the box are prohibited. Athletes who         descend the box using depth jumps will be warned. Two warnings         will result in disqualification from the competition.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, competition equipment is also provided. Among other things, standards can be implemented to ensure that the athletes use the same jump surfaces, boxes (or landing platforms), and other equipment, so that the jumps are made under the same conditions, to the extent possible. Preferably, the jump equipment (such as a competition box or boxes) is placed on a solid, flat, and level surface. Although jumps can be made and competitions/testing of the invention can be held on artificial surfaces that can store and release elastic energy (such as gymnastic flooring and spring boards), preferably those artificial surfaces are not used. Among other things, even if ALL participants used the same artificial surfaces, those surfaces can potentially aid a participant in achieving a higher jump attempt and therefore increase the potential hazards to participants. Preferably competitions on artificial surfaces that store and release elastic energy are not allowed except perhaps for exhibition and/or promotional events.

Similarly, weather (including wind, sun, rain or other precipitation, etc.) will either be a non-factor (such as if all contestants are “indoors” wherever they may be competing) or are neutral (e.g., all contestants are competing in those same conditions at the same location. Depending on the circumstances, however, various embodiments of the invention may include potential variance in such weather-type factors, much as rounds of professional golf include a “weather” variable that may present certain contestants with conditions that are more favorable than for other contestants.

Preferably, competition boxes are made from sturdy, relatively lightweight materials, to facilitate the movement, stacking, and general portability of the boxes/blocks. Among many other materials, reinforced plywood construction or injection-molded plastics can be used. Preferably, any box used for the sport of box jumping includes a non-slip top surface (such as rubber or the like). Also preferably, boxes are designed to be secured together (such as on top of one another), via any suitable mechanism (e.g., interference fits, latches, or other locking mechanisms), and likewise preferably the box(es) are relatively secure in their relationship to the ground or other supporting surface. Among other things, for multiple-box stacks, these or other measures help to prevent separation of the boxes that might otherwise be caused by impact or vibration. The locking mechanisms preferably are designed to be safe and secure and not interfere or protrude into the path of the jumper in any way, while permitting relatively quick release and disengagement to facilitate modifying the height or other characteristics of the stack. For single jumper competitions (rather than teams of jumpers attempting to mount a single stack of boxes), preferred box dimensions have an upper landing area that measures at least approximately four square feet (such as 2 foot wide×2 foot wide), but can be larger or smaller depending on the particular competition and the specific embodiment of the invention. The invention preferably is practiced with equipment that is sized and constructed to ensure safety of all participants. Persons of ordinary skill will understand that the shape of the landing area (and/or the related cross-section of the box/platform) also can vary in height to ensure proper stability. Convenient box heights are 12 inches, 6 inches, 3 inches and 1 inch, although boxes of any of a wide range of heights can be used. Persons of ordinary skill also will understand that height adjustments can be made in any suitably safe manner, such as putting boards or other flat materials under the box stack, providing adjustable height legs on the bottom or other part of the box(es), etc. Also preferably, competition boxes are surrounded by thick safety cushions on the backside and sides to help absorb impact in case of a fall.

In preferred embodiments, the box or boxes are placed on a suitably safe starting platform. Among many alternatives, such a base can be an approximately 4 foot×4 foot square non-slip rubber mat with beveled edges, that preferably is located at the base of the front of the lowermost box in the stack. Also preferably, a tape measure is provided to verify box height at competitions and is preferably affixed to the rear side of one or more of the boxes. Persons of ordinary skill also will understand that any suitable apparatus and/or method can be used to measure the relevant jump heights (as well as the height of the contestants, for POH competitions), and that relative precision in those measurements is desirable.

As mentioned above, the present invention also provides methods for measuring participant/athlete stature in order to be able to accurately calculate a participant's score as a percentage of their height (POH). Among other things, a participant's standing height preferably is measured with the participant wearing competition-approved jumping shoes (again, this helps ensure that no contestant has an unfair equipment advantage). Preferably, a participant's standing height measurement is the distance from the floor to the highest point on the head. A stadiometer is preferably used for accurate measurements and should be placed against a flat wall with no base trim or other protrusions. The floor surface should be level, flat and hard and should not compress under the participant's weight.

An example of some of the many different methods of measuring a participant's height is as follows:

-   -   1. Have the athlete stand upright with his or her back against         the stadiometer.     -   2. Keep the shoulders relaxed to reduce spinal curvature. Ensure         the back of the legs, buttocks, shoulders and occiput (back of         the skull), are in contact with the measuring device. Both knees         must be straight at all times during the measurement. Ensure the         heels are placed together and are firmly against the wall. The         head must be facing directly ahead;     -   3. Lower the stadiometer's head board to the top of the head and         ensure that the headboard remains in contact with the top of the         head during the measurement; and     -   4. Take the height measurement.

In another aspect of the present invention, guidelines for proper video recording procedures preferably are provided in order to validate successful box jump attempts (that occur at a sanctioned competition or remotely). In a preferred embodiment, video recording can be performed with any type of popular analog or digital video recording device as long as the quality of video clearly identifies the participant and can clearly document measuring of the box height. One of the many methods of recording a participant's box jump attempt preferably includes the following steps and/or guidelines:

1) The recording should be uninterrupted, to help ensure that videos are not edited to falsify results. Begin recording video documentation of the jump attempt by facing the participant and identifying the participant's name. The video should clearly show the participant's face;

2) While continuing to record video, begin documenting the jump attempt per the rules/guidelines set forth;

3) While continuing to record carefully document the measuring tape height per the rules/guidelines set forth;

4) Submit the recording to the governing body, such as by uploading the video to the website of the CBJO or other organization.

For the purpose of summarizing the invention, certain objects and advantages have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

The apparatus and methods of the invention have been described with some particularity, but the specific designs, constructions, and steps disclosed are not to be taken as delimiting of the invention. A wide range of modifications and alternative structures and steps for practicing the invention will make themselves apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, all of which will not depart from the essence of the invention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for conducting a box-jumping competition, including: a box-like element having a specific height; a relatively flat area in which the box-like element is position, said area being sufficiently large to enable safe and competitive jumping by participants from said flat area up onto the box-like element; an electronic communication system permitting entry, display, and/or broadcast of data relevant to the competition.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, including a plurality of such box-like elements.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the communication system includes live transmission of participants jumping and competing against each other, with said participants located in geographic locations that are remote from each other.
 4. A method of conducting a box-jumping competition, including the steps of: providing the apparatus of claim 1; having a plurality of participants take turns jumping from the relatively flat area onto the box-like element; and measuring and comparing the participants' jumps to determine a winner among the participants. 